Ware-seasoner.



LT. C. SOHAFFER.

Patented Dec. 1

r 1 m M w m g M r R H V w W1 TJV' ESSE'Z 644 'MM- 9 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

JOHN C. SCHAFFER, OF TOLEDO, OHIO.

WARE-SEASONER.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Dec. 1, 1914.

Application filed April 29, 1912. Serial No. 693,782.

ture, and particularly to features of construction permitting controllabl'y drying or seasoning of the ware.

This invention has utility when embodied in a continuous ware seasoner.

Referring to the drawings: Figure 1 is a fragmentary plan View of an embodiment of the invention as adapted to brick manufacture from cutting thereof to the kilns;

Fig. 2 is a longitudinal section of the device of Fig. 1; Fig. 3 is a view of the discharge end of the drier or ware seasoner structure of Fig. 1; Fi 4 is a plan view of one of the perforate pa lets for carrying the ware or brick; Fig.5 is a fragmentary side view of a switch for pallets from the drier carrier; Fig. 6 is a transverse view of the carrier deflecting means for permitting switch setting; and-Fig. 7 is. a fragmentary view of the ware seasoner adapted for coil heating instead of hot gas ducts. V

The brick passes from the cutter 1 upon the endless 'belt 2 from which it is stacked on pallets 3 placed on the endless carriers 4- sustained by idlers 5. The speed'of the carriers is regulated by the variable speed device 6, in the driving of said carriers from the prime mover or motor 7. By driving the carriers 4 so that ware travel is away from the driving end, there is less tendency for the traveling ware in its progress through the drier 8 to be subjected to shock, vibration, or other action tending to injure the ware. The drier or seasoner 8 is of such length that the ware may be thoroughly seasoned and dried in its travel therethrough; The ware is stacked upon the pallets 3 in continuous series on the carrier for maximum of. capacity of the plant. At each end of the drier are similar vestibules from which ducts 9 at the entrance end, and ducts 10 from the discharge end, tend to prevent air currents interfering with the drying operations. Ducts 9 lead to stack 11. Instead of attempting to conduct ducts 10 each to a separate stack, these ducts lead, as shown to stack 12. The stacks are distributed to care for proper draft from the drier, which in practice is of considerable length, according to speed of ware therethrough, and may be up to 600 feet long. The vestibules have closures or curtains 14 which the stacked ware on the pallets automatically opens, and which closures reduce to a minimum openings for disturbance of the ware by outside air currents.

The source of heat may be from furnace '15 having duct 16 leading therefrom the full length of the drier and by valve 17 having its connection to the stack 11 controlled. At intervals along the drier, the duct 16 therebelow has valves 18 in its top the opening of which permits the passage of hot gases through the duct openings 19 into the drier 8 to pass up into and about the continuously traveling Were. The action of these warming gases serves to drive out the moisture from the ware and properly season the ware. The passing off of this moisture through the ducts 20 to the duct 18 is controlled by the valves 21. Accordingly by handling valves 18 and 21 there may be any nice regulation desired, as to nature or quality of the ware as to heating or driving off of the moisture. The heat at the entrance end may be so graduated as to in no wise cause checking or other objectionable results in bringing about a rapid and effectual seasoning of the ware with a minimum of labor and equipment. The fact that there is no manual handling of the ware is a material factor in reducing 4 the breakage loss.

In some plants, the furnace may be used for starting the drier only or as auxiliary or alternative, and the hot gases be delivered to duct 16 by passages 22 from kilns or other source about the plant, thus utilizing what may be waste heat otherwise.

Instead of hot gases from duct 16, the source of heat may be from hot water or steam line 23 having valves 24 for controlling the heating action of coils 25 distributed in the drier 8. In each instance the carrying off of the moisture may be controlled by the valves 21 in the ducts 20.

In transporting the were from the shaping or cutting thereof, there is a continuous operation to the kilns 26 for firing or burning by the gravity roller switches 27 which may be readily positioned as desired along the carriers 4, by having the deflecting means drop the carrier at the point it is desired to place the switch. This carrier defleeting means comprises the carrier engaging rollers 28 mounted on links 29 pivotally connected 'to the levers 3 0Iwhich have the forks .31 engaging the I-heams 32. By plac ing the rollers 28 over the carrier 4 and-the. forks 31 to engage under a flange of the I.- beam 32, the bringing down of the handles 30 draws the carrier 4 down sufiiciently to permit setting of the switch 27 in position. For removal, the switch on its standards is taken away, the levers 30 shifted upwardly and the deflecting means is then ready for use at any other point desired on the circuit of kilns. There is accordingly pro-- vided a simple and. convenient mechanism for automatic delivery of ware from a former or a drier directly to the kilns. The pallets 3 may be returned to belt lfor reloading by placing on the lower reach of carrier 4.

'VVhat is claimed and it is desired to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. The combination with green ware receiving. palletsfof a continuously traveling conveyer for said pallets, driving means for said conveyer, a drier into, through, and out of which said conveyer extends, a kiln, and connections at an angle to the conveyer automatically delivering pallets which have passed through the drier from the conveyer to the kiln.

2. The combination with green ware receiving pallets, of a conveyer for said pallets, driving means for said conveyer, a drier into, through, and out of which said conveyer extends, a plurality of kilns, andconnections' at an angle to the conveyer automatically delivering ware loaded pallets from the conveyer to a kiln.

3. The combination. with green Ware receiving pallets, of a conveyer for said palconnections from the conveyer to the kiln for delivering the pallets from the drier to the kiln. Y

4. The combination with green ware receiving pallets, of a conveyer for said pal-I lets, a drier into, through, and out of which said conveyer extends, and heating means I forthe drier comprising a plurality of independently adjustable heat controlling devices disposed along the conveyer for regulating the warming action of the drier on.

the ware, a kiln, andconnections from the conveyer to. the kiln for delivering the pallets from the drier to the kiln.

. 5. The combination of green ware receiving pallets, a conveyer for said pallets, a drier into, through, and out of which said conveyer extends, and a plurality of inde-' pendently adjustable moisture controlling means for the ware in the drier disposed along the conveyer for regulating the drying action of the ware during its progress through the drier, a kiln, and connections from the conveyer to the kiln for delivering the pallets from the drier to the kiln.

In testimony whereof I 'affix my signature in the presence of two witnesses.

JOHN G. SOHAFFER.

Witnesses:

C. H. RAUCH, GEO. E. 

